Men's Hockey Shuts Out Army 6-0 For Sixth Straight Win

Andrew Cox

Feb 12, 2011

WORCESTER, Mass. – It was another high scoring night as the Holy Cross men's hockey team downed Army, 6-0, at the Hart Center on Saturday evening in Atlantic Hockey action. With their sixth consecutive win, the Crusaders move to 13-14-3 overall (12-8-3 Atlantic Hockey). Holy Cross is now 6-0-1 in its last seven, while the Black Knights fall to 8-18-4 overall (7-12-4 Atlantic Hockey).

During the last seven games the Crusaders have outscored their opponents by a 35-12 margin, outscoring Army 11-1 this weekend alone. The Crusaders have scored four goals or more in six straight games for the first time since the 1998-1999 season. Holy Cross scored four or more goals in seven straight contests between Jan. 16-Feb. 6, 1999. This is the Crusaders' longest winning streak since the 2005-2006 season when they also won six straight games between March 3-March 24. Also in 2005-2006, the Crusaders recorded an eight-game winning-streak between Jan. 19-Feb. 10. The Crusaders' 12 Atlantic Hockey wins are their most in a season since they won a program-best 19 games in 2005-2006. The Crusaders win the season series versus Army 3-0-0. Holy Cross defeated the Black Knights by a 5-4 score in overtime on Oct. 17 and won 5-1 on Feb. 11. This is the first time the Crusaders have won a season series versus Army since going 2-0-2 versus the Black Knights in the 2006-2007 season.

Tonight's game was also a part of Holy Cross' winter homecoming. In honor of the event, an MVP trophy was awarded at the end of tonight's game. This year's trophy went to junior Andrew Cox(Lombardy, Ontario) after he posted two goals and one assist on the night. He finishes the weekend with a total of four points.

The Crusaders got off to a quick start as juniorMatt Gordon (Perth, Ontario) capitalized on the rebound off of a shot from sophomore Erik Vos (Carlisle, Ontario) to put the Crusaders up 1-0. Vos and Cox assisted on the goal. Holy Cross put up their second goal of night off of a breakaway from senior Jamie Jelinek (Great Falls, Va.) with the assist coming from senior J.P. Martignetti (Winchester, Mass.) and junior Jay Silvia (Burlington, Mass.) This was Jelinek's first goal of the season. The Crusaders outshot the Black Knights 18-5, and both teams went 0-1 on the power play.

Again the Crusaders didn't waste any time in the second, putting up their third goal of the night just over two minutes into the period. The line of Vos, Cox and Gordon struck again, this time with Cox recording the goal and Vos and Gordon tallying the assist. The Crusaders took advantage of the power play late in the second as freshman Shayne Stockton (Rochester, N.Y.) tipped the puck into the bottom right corner of the net past Army goalie Ryan Leets. Sophomore Brendan Baker (Edina, Minn.) and freshman Jeffrey Reppucci (Newburyport, Mass.) assisted. Less than a minute later, with 40 seconds left on the clock, the trio of Cox, Gordon and Vos put another goal passed Leets. Vos and Gordon helped out with the assists while Cox was credited with the goal. Holy Cross outshot Army 16-9 while the Crusaders went 1-2 on the power play. Cox, Gordon and Vos each finished with three total points on the night.

The Crusaders finished their offensively productive night in the third period as sophomore BrandonNunn (Fairport, N.Y.) blasted a shot over the left shoulder of Army goalie Jay Clark, who appeared in relief of Leets in the third period. Reppucci and Baker were credited with the assist.

Senior goalie Adam Roy (Feeding Hills, Mass.) had another outstanding night in goal as he posted his third career shutout, totaling 21 saves in the effort. Leets put up 29 saves, taking the loss for the Black Knights, while Clark made five saves during the third. Holy Cross outshot Army 40-21 and went 2-5 on the power play, while Army went 0-5.

The Crusaders return to action when they play a home-and-home series with Sacred Heart on Friday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 20. Friday's game will be at the Hart Center at 7:00 p.m., while Sunday's contest will be at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Conn., at noon. The Crusaders defeated the Pioneers by a 7-2 score earlier this season on Nov. 19 in the first game of the three-game regular season series.

The Crusaders, who are currently tied for third place overall, lead the east-scheduling zone for a first round bye in the Atlantic Hockey Tournament with 27 points. The top two teams from the east zone and the west zone earn a bye. With four games left to play, the Crusaders are five points ahead of UConn (22 points) and seven points in front of Bentley (20 points), while Army has 18.

College of the Holy CrossDepartment of Athletics 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610